TRANSPORT SPACE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROL OF SUCH SYSTEM AT INTER-ORBITAL TRANSPORTATION OF CARGOES Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; transport space system for interorbital cargo traffic. SUBSTANCE: proposed transport system includes injection unit, transporting part and cargo container. Injection unit is made in form of launch vehicle; transporting part is made in form of recoverable inter-orbital towing-tugs and cargo container is made in form of separate module. Transporting part and cargo container are provided with coupling units, coupling control system, navigation and information exchange system. Transporting part is provided with engine plant with propellant tanks; cargo container has spaces for payload. Method of control of transport system includes delivery of cargo container by means of injection unit to required region, transfer of transporting part to the same region, placing the cargo container on transporting part and delivery of it to servicing orbit. After injection of cargo container to required region into injection orbit, cargo container is disconnected from injection unit and is placed on transporting part by coupling them in this orbit; then cargo container is delivered to servicing orbit. EFFECT: low cost of system; enhanced reliability; increased mass of payload. 3 cl, 3 dwg